fireballer

noun

fire·​ball·​er ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbȯ-lər How to pronounce fireballer (audio)
: a baseball pitcher known for throwing fastballs
fireballing adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Ben Joyce, the right-handed fireballer from the University of Tennessee, went viral two months ago for throwing a pitch clocked at 105.5 mph during a game against Auburn. Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2022 The Braves began their comeback by reeling off a 14-game winning streak in June after promoting 21-year-old center-fielder Michael Harris II from Double-A and moving fireballer Spencer Strider from the bullpen to the rotation. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022 Manny Machado homered off Cardinals fireballer Ryan Helsley, cutting the lead in half to start the eighth. Bryce Millercolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2022 The Marlins are a fourth-place team and their hitters had no chance, striking out nine times against the Sideshow Bob-haired fireballer. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2022 The fireballer’s struggles continued, with Dalbec — who’d fanned with two in scoring position in the first — driving a 2-and-2 slider into the left-field seats for a 4-3 lead. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2022 His average sinker velocity of 90.3 mph is a relic of a bygone era, sitting in just the 12th percentile league-wide — an especially striking sight coming from a 6-foot-4 left-hander who looks the part of a fireballer. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 3 June 2022 Ryan had once been a wild fireballer himself, leading the league in walks eight times in an 11-year span. New York Times, 9 May 2022 Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff That has already happened, given how Eovaldi has transformed from a fireballer to a pitcher who has several ways, and several subtle tricks, to send a batter back to the dugout. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fireballer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fireballer was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near fireballer

Cite this Entry

“Fireballer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fireballer. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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